Results: Net income for Comerica Inc. rose to $144 million (73 cents per share) vs. $96 million (53 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 50% from the year-earlier quarter.

Quoting Management: “Our second quarter results reflect our focus on the bottom line in this slow growing national economy,” said Ralph W. Babb Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. “Loans continued to grow, with average loans up $959 million, or two percent, compared to the first quarter, primarily reflecting an increase of $1.2 billion, or five percent, in commercial loans. This was the eighth consecutive quarter of average commercial loan growth, resulting in a 20 percent year-over-year increase, including our acquisition of Sterling Bancshares last July. The increase in average commercial loans in the second quarter was broad-based, primarily driven by increases in National Dealer Services, Global Corporate Banking, Middle Market Banking and Energy. As expected, this was partially offset by the continued decline in commercial real estate loans.

Key Stats:

The company has now surpassed analyst estimates for four quarters in a row. It beat the mark by 11 cents in the first quarter, by 14 cents in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year, and by 10 cents in the third quarter of the last fiscal year.

Net income has increased 36.7% year-over-year on average across the last five quarters. The biggest gain came in the third quarter of the last fiscal year, when income climbed 66.1% from the year-earlier quarter.

Looking Forward: For next quarter, analysts have a more positive outlook about the company’s expected results. The average estimate for the third quarter is 62 cents per share, up from 58 cents ninety days ago. The average estimate for the fiscal year is $2.52 per share, a rise from $2.31 ninety days ago.